Lies And More Lies

[Hen Pecked]

In September, I purchased a fully loaded Titanium 1.4 automatic (wife's choice not mine).

One of the selling points was the frugality of the Fiesta.

We are now 3000 miles into its life and are in the middle of a long European tour. We are not driving more than 50 to 60 MPH and feathering the accelerator with the lightest touch. No heavy overtaking, no hard breaking, just careful relaxed driving. The car is not overloaded, just the two of us plus modest luggage. Tyres are the correct pressure and we have tried both types of petrol.

The average MPG is a pathetic 37 on mostly long quiet roads (worked out from fuel in and milage covered, not the highly innacurate trip computer). The finish of the car is basic at best for example, the leather has to be the cheapest available on the market. We chaged the 16" alloys for 14" steel as we experienced the same trouble os other owners, buckled alloys. I managed over 35MPG in our last car, a LandRover Discover 2.5TDi, and that car was very well built and weighed several tons.

Even with a bit of haggling the car cost almost as much as a Golf but IMHO is a cheap piece of trash. Sorry, but I will never buy another Fiesta and in future wiil pay the extra and up market.

My fault for listening to my wife and buying such a heap of trash.

I have of course filled in the Ford customer review but doubt that will have any impact at all.

All I can say, is "Buyer Beware".

[Parkesie]

Done no favours by getting the auto box coupled to a small engine. in comparison my 1.6 petrol manual easily does 45mpg and can be coaxed into the low 50s with carefull driving.

[Focus_ST-3]

37mpg sounds about right for a 1.4 automatic. I actually think the quality of the leather is very good, however, I would agree that quality is lacking elsewhere.

[Early-1800]

Nearly 40mpg for a petrol auto is OK esp as now a Fester is big heavy car compared to previous versions. If you wanted economy you should have stuck with with Herr Diesel.

[mark t]

my 1.6 diesel, runs around 37, but looking now at 1.6 petrol, that really shifts on the unaccompanied test drive I did!

[mitch84]

you seem like you do a lot of travelling , why would you get a 1.4 fezza? , it seems a big step down from your LandRover Discover 2.5TDi even if both have simular mpg? , dont get me wrong the fiesta is a great car but if i was planing on long european car trips i dont think i would of been looking at ford fiesta.

[mintalkin]

all the review sites put the mpg at 35-38 so its spot on, an autobox is a lot of work for a 1.4, bigger cars are better for touring as the engine works less, i would have chosen a diesel 2.0 mondeo which would return 45-50 mpg.

[Stanhead]

Nearly 40mpg for a petrol auto is OK esp as now a Fester is big heavy car compared to previous versions. If you wanted economy you should have stuck with with Herr Diesel.

The new fiesta isn't heavier than the previous version. :)

[grin factor]

The new Fiesta is 40kgs lighter than the old one.

I have the 1.25 manual and today on a run out, by the computer am getting 47 mpg, which I am happy with.

Auto's always use more fuel, and I'm sure you will be aware of this.

I think your "buyer beware" is a bit harse. The Fiesta is a cracking little car, and gives most of its owners much driving pleasure. Its one of the best handling cars I've owned.

[BHeart]

The new Fiesta is 40kgs lighter than the old one.

I have the 1.25 manual and today on a run out, by the computer am getting 47 mpg, which I am happy with.

Auto's always use more fuel, and I'm sure you will be aware of this.

I think your "buyer beware" is a bit harse. The Fiesta is a cracking little car, and gives most of its owners much driving pleasure. Its one of the best handling cars I've owned.

Hi grin factor

What sort of roads were you driving on, at what speeds and over what distance were you doing to get 47mpg?

I'm asking because I have a 5 door Fiesta 1.25 manual g'box, and it was registered on October 1st 2010 and when I first started driving it, the average mpg climbed up to a max of 45.6 and now stays between 42.5 and about 44.6 (perhaps the cold weather is affecting the mpg)? Apart from a regular short trip to the shops/garage for fuel, I only drive to and from work each day and it's a 24 mile round trip. My speed is around 30mph and below when driving through town to/from the m'way and 55mph to 60mph on the m'way.

The m'way is about 5 minutes from my home and my work place is about the same when I get off the m'way, so the majority of the 24 miles is on the m'way. So really, 24 miles is a pretty short trip and hardly enough time to warm up the engine?

After I fill up with fuel each time (I use Shell Fuelsave unleaded), I reset all settings on the trip computer and it takes the average mpg a little while to get back of to my 'normal', so I'm not sure if I should at least leave the average mpg alone?

Thanks, BHeart

[MarkyR]

In September, I purchased a fully loaded Titanium 1.4 automatic (wife's choice not mine).

One of the selling points was the frugality of the Fiesta.

We are now 3000 miles into its life and are in the middle of a long European tour. We are not driving more than 50 to 60 MPH and feathering the accelerator with the lightest touch. No heavy overtaking, no hard breaking, just careful relaxed driving. The car is not overloaded, just the two of us plus modest luggage. Tyres are the correct pressure and we have tried both types of petrol.

The average MPG is a pathetic 37 on mostly long quiet roads (worked out from fuel in and milage covered, not the highly innacurate trip computer). The finish of the car is basic at best for example, the leather has to be the cheapest available on the market. We chaged the 16" alloys for 14" steel as we experienced the same trouble os other owners, buckled alloys. I managed over 35MPG in our last car, a LandRover Discover 2.5TDi, and that car was very well built and weighed several tons.

Even with a bit of haggling the car cost almost as much as a Golf but IMHO is a cheap piece of trash. Sorry, but I will never buy another Fiesta and in future wiil pay the extra and up market.

My fault for listening to my wife and buying such a heap of trash.

I have of course filled in the Ford customer review but doubt that will have any impact at all.

All I can say, is "Buyer Beware".

Ok, lets put some things in perspective here. It's an automatic 1.4 which is going to use fuel. So ignoring the MPG argument as it could be the way you drive it for all we know lets look at your bogus 'cheap piece of trash' comment:

A Fiesta 1.4 Titanium fully loaded 5 door costs £17545 on Fords website, a Polo with the same spec costs £19160, a Golf with the same spec is £24555. So whilst the Golf STARTS from £13195 it comes with no where near as much kit as a Titanium fully specced Fiesta!!

And the Discovery STARTS from £35995 most likely with less kit so for a car with less costing double a Fiesta I would expect the quality to be a damn site better!! So IMO you have made some utterly pointless comparisons of quality, you are comparing it to a Golf which is a different class and MUCH more expensive and you are comparing it to a Discovery which is in no way cheap or comparable to a Fiesta other then it's a car.

And IMO the Fiesta is great quality, it offers the BEST value for money you can get IMO. If you are so worried about quality go and sell your Fiesta and buy a Polo with dull handling and driving dynamics.

[Early-1800]

Well I am pleasantly surprised if the Mk7 is lighter, but I'd hazard a guess that it’s still going on for double the weight of the original 1970s version.

[Stanhead]

Well I am pleasantly surprised if the Mk7 is lighter, but I'd hazard a guess that it’s still going on for double the weight of the original 1970s version.

Actually the Mk1 Fiesta weighs between 1160-1200kg depending on the model, and the Mk7 966-1011kg. ;)

[MarkyR]

Actually the Mk1 Fiesta weighs between 1160-1200kg depending on the model, and the Mk7 966-1011kg. ;)

And because it's lighter, you get much better handling.

[Early-1800]

Don't know where you are getting your figs from. A MK1 Golf weighed in at about 750-800kg so Ford must have used plate steel building 70s Festers to get them to tip the scales at 1,200kg ! (think you are quoting the max vehicle weight, the max loaded value)

From the web;

Ford Fiesta (Mk1) S1600 Specifications

Activity: (1979-1981)

BHP@ RPM 150/7500

Torque (Nm)@ RPM 172/5500

Length Width Height 3750.1640.1360

Wheelbase

Weight (Kg/BPM Ratio) 775 ()

Ford website lists the MK7 at 1,041 to 1,100kg an increase of 40%+ over the MK1s 775kg.

I know that over the years manufacturers have used different methods to measure the wieght, empty kerbside, with fuel and passengers etc.

[Stanhead]

I stand corrected haha, probably because I was quoting figures from different websites.

Still the mk7 is still a very light car. :)

[sussex]

I get 43mpg average (even if driven hard sometimes)with my 1.6 manual petrol and 50+if im VERY good

more than happy with that

[sussex]

Ok, lets put some things in perspective here. It's an automatic 1.4 which is going to use fuel. So ignoring the MPG argument as it could be the way you drive it for all we know lets look at your bogus 'cheap piece of trash' comment:

A Fiesta 1.4 Titanium fully loaded 5 door costs £17545 on Fords website, a Polo with the same spec costs £19160, a Golf with the same spec is £24555. So whilst the Golf STARTS from £13195 it comes with no where near as much kit as a Titanium fully specced Fiesta!!

And the Discovery STARTS from £35995 most likely with less kit so for a car with less costing double a Fiesta I would expect the quality to be a damn site better!! So IMO you have made some utterly pointless comparisons of quality, you are comparing it to a Golf which is a different class and MUCH more expensive and you are comparing it to a Discovery which is in no way cheap or comparable to a Fiesta other then it's a car.

And IMO the Fiesta is great quality, it offers the BEST value for money you can get IMO. If you are so worried about quality go and sell your Fiesta and buy a Polo with dull handling and driving dynamics.

Cracking post, couldnt agree more

[Early-1800]

The original poster says he swaped 16 inch alloys for 14 inch steel. If the 14 inch wheel/tyre combo is smaller than the alloys that would account for less MPG

[KeithC]

In September, I purchased a fully loaded Titanium 1.4 automatic (wife's choice not mine).

One of the selling points was the frugality of the Fiesta.

We are now 3000 miles into its life and are in the middle of a long European tour. We are not driving more than 50 to 60 MPH and feathering the accelerator with the lightest touch. No heavy overtaking, no hard breaking, just careful relaxed driving. The car is not overloaded, just the two of us plus modest luggage. Tyres are the correct pressure and we have tried both types of petrol.

The average MPG is a pathetic 37 on mostly long quiet roads (worked out from fuel in and milage covered, not the highly innacurate trip computer). The finish of the car is basic at best for example, the leather has to be the cheapest available on the market. We chaged the 16" alloys for 14" steel as we experienced the same trouble os other owners, buckled alloys. I managed over 35MPG in our last car, a LandRover Discover 2.5TDi, and that car was very well built and weighed several tons.

Even with a bit of haggling the car cost almost as much as a Golf but IMHO is a cheap piece of trash. Sorry, but I will never buy another Fiesta and in future wiil pay the extra and up market.

My fault for listening to my wife and buying such a heap of trash.

I have of course filled in the Ford customer review but doubt that will have any impact at all.

All I can say, is "Buyer Beware".

You are quite right in your words "Buyer Beware".

Always, and I mean always do your homework BEFORE buying a car or else you could be disappointed. No point complaining after the event though.

If you wanted frugality, why did you buy an automatic petrol, just doesn't make sense.

My little 1.4 Fiesta manual did around 47mpg on a 700 mle round trip to Newquay.

[aph1101]

Cracking post, couldnt agree more

+1

[grin factor]

Bheart, my journey was from Seaburn in Sunderland to Barnard Castle, which consisted of about 20 miles on dual carriageway, the rest country roads.Thats each way. Speeds varied from 50 on country roads to 65 on DC road. I wasn't doing an economy run and used a bit of throttle. I guess if I was hoofing it more the mpg would have dropped a bit. And yes the cold weather does effect mpg a little.

[Hen Pecked]

Thanks for all of the comments on this topic.

It was really just my way of letting off steam as most manufacturers quote MPG figures that cannot be met except under test conditions.

I do find it strange however that Ford are way behind the rest of the field when it comes to a fuel efficient engine.

My wife chose this car, not me. She is only 4ft 10" and the Fiesta is one of the only cars that suits her. She also prefers autos and wanted to do her bit to be greener in a smaller car.

Unfortunately, Ford only do the auto in the 1.4 petrol engine. As we only drive a maximum of 300 miles in any one day at sedentary speeds, it is more than sufficient for the task.

My complaint over the finish is well justified. The leather must have been obtained from a cheap Spanish hand bag market and the plastic trims are already working loose. We have had to glue the hidden compartment box in place. The alloys have been replaced with steel wheels and the trims tied on to prevent them falling off.

Bottom line is that as a cheap city run around it is fine, but for all year driving in all conditions.....I will present her with a Hummer and tell her it is a new lean green machine, she will never know the difference.

[sparticus5]

...as most manufacturers quote MPG figures that cannot be met except under test conditions.

I do find it strange however that Ford are way behind the rest of the field when it comes to a fuel efficient engine.

She also prefers autos and wanted to do her bit to be greener in a smaller car.

My complaint over the finish is well justified. The leather must have been obtained from a cheap Spanish hand bag market and the plastic trims are already working loose. We have had to glue the hidden compartment box in place. The alloys have been replaced with steel wheels and the trims tied on to prevent them falling off.

To add my tuppence worth to your points. I disagree with quoted mpg that cannot be met. We've owned probably just over 20 cars in total and I can only think of three that I couldn't get near the manufacturers quoted consumption no matter how careful I drove. ( and about 10 where I could easily exceed the quoted figures). One of those cars is my current 1.6 Zetec S petrol. However being only a few months old that's only to be expected. In my experience you really need to wait for a car to have at least 10k miles on the clock before judging fuel economy.

Not sure what you mean by Ford not having fuel efficient engines, I'd have said the exact opposite. Apart from BMW who are streets ahead of everyone, and VAG's diesel options, I can't think of many if any manufacturer who's ahead of Ford in this department. As I see it, the problem with the Fiesta is the gearbox, not the engine. My car comes with a 5 speed box - those engines are screaming out for a 6 speed unit. Pulling over 3000rpm in relaxed motorway mode isn't good. I suspect the same is true with the 1.4 auto. I bet it's only a four speed unit? That said I can think of no small engined auto car which is fuel efficient. You could go for something with a dual-clutch gearbox, like VW's DSG, but then you're talking serious purchase price - you'll loose way more in depreciation on a more expensive car than you would in a few less mpg. We also own a 1.6tdci Focus Zetec (again del miles which we bought last year for £11300). That thing returns 64mpg (incidentally, more than the official figure) and costs me £35 a year to tax. It doesn't posses anywhere near the same power as say a BMW sourced unit, but for what it is and especially given the price I paid, it's a fantastic engine. All things considered it has to rate as one of the best cars I've ever owned. Ford lagging behind with fuel efficient engines? Sorry mate but that's simply not true.

Going green doesn't mean a smaller car, it depends how you use the car. That touring journey you mention, you would have done Greenpeace a favour by spending £32000 on a 520tdi BMW 5 series mated to their new 8 speed auto box. That big luxury BMW would wipe the floor with any performance, ecomomy or green credentials of your Fiesta. You've got the wrong engine and the wrong gearbox if you want to sit on motorway or 'A' roads and 'go green'. If you wanted an all rounder with an auto box, you chose the wrong car.

The finish? I couldn't agree more. I paid £11500 for my del miles Zetec S with street pack, bluetooth + metallic. For that money the finish is ok. For the £16,000 list or whatever Ford ask, it's not ok. As for those who say the quality of the leather is good - I guess they don't get out much. Ford tell me my car has a leather steering wheel and gear knob. I'm glad they told me because I'd never have guessed. What they've fitted neither looks like leather, feels like leather or smells like leather. I used to own a Merc and chose MBtex upholstery - a man-made leather. Even MBtex looks,feels and smells more leathery that Ford's excuse. I saw a Fiesta Titanium model in the showroom which had horrible purple and white leather interior... Leather? It must have been one tough cow!

Plastics, again some are very low quality and no doubt liable to snap. Even things like cup holders - every car I've had came with rubber bases in the cup holders, gloveboxes were carpeted in felt and illuminated, door pockets with felt lining etc. There's nowt in the Fiesta - it's all just plastic. Any oddments you place in the centre console, door pockets or glove box rattle like hell. Truth is the Fiesta has examples of cost cutting every where you look, the finish is pretty abysmal tbh.

"Bottom line is that as a cheap city run around it's fine, but for all year driving in all conditions..."

Well to be fair to Ford, I don't think they've ever marketed the Fiesta as anything else since. If you wanted all year driving in all conditions, why purchase a 1.4 auto Fiesta? No disrespect but all small engined autos in my area are owned by pensioners who's highlight of the week is a trip to the local garden centre.

[mark t]

My wife chose this car, not me. She is only 4ft 10" and the Fiesta is one of the only cars that suits her. She also prefers autos and wanted to do her bit to be greener in a smaller car.

I've referred previously, and will again to the July 2008 price list which tells you the 1.4 & 1.6 manual are in band C2, the 1.4 & 1.6 diesel in B3, where as the 1.4 auto comes in D2, so going to be more thirsty and more polluting!